“I won’t be able to talk freely on the topic and I won’t be able to write on the topic either without exposing my paper to ridiculously huge fines.”

Russia decriminalized homosexuality 20 years ago, but the LGBT community remains fearful of persecution.

Many Russian cities have adopted similar laws restricting “homosexual propaganda” because it might be seen by minors.

“This propaganda goes through the mass media and public events that propagate homosexuality as normal behavior,” says the bill, according to the Guardian.

The United States government issued a rebuke, according to Reuters, calling on Russia “to meet its obligations to protect its citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression without discrimination.”